March 10, 2026 – Governor Sherrill delivered comprehensive remarks today outlining the state’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, emphasizing investments in education, infrastructure, and healthcare while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Speaking from the State Capitol, Governor Sherrill presented a $45.2 billion budget proposal that reflects a 3.8% increase from the previous year. The Governor stressed that this budget represents “a balanced approach to meeting our state’s growing needs while ensuring long-term financial stability.”
The largest portion of the budget increase will be directed toward education, with $2.1 billion in new funding allocated for K-12 schools and higher education institutions. “Our children deserve world-class educational opportunities,” Sherrill stated, announcing plans to increase teacher salaries by 5% and expand access to early childhood education programs.
Governor Sherrill announced a $1.5 billion infrastructure package aimed at repairing aging roads, bridges, and public transit systems. The plan includes funding for sustainable transportation projects and electric vehicle charging stations across the state.
The budget allocates $800 million to expand healthcare access, including mental health services and substance abuse treatment programs. “Healthcare is a fundamental right, and this budget reflects our commitment to ensuring all residents have access to quality care,” the Governor emphasized.
Despite the increased spending, Governor Sherrill highlighted several cost-saving measures, including government efficiency initiatives expected to save $300 million annually. The budget maintains the state’s rainy day fund at 8% of total expenditures, exceeding recommended levels.
Next Steps
The proposed budget will now move to the state legislature for review and approval. Legislative leaders from both parties have indicated they will begin hearings next week, with a final vote expected by May 1st.
“This budget represents our vision for a stronger, more prosperous state,” Governor Sherrill concluded.”
Governor Rebecca Michelle “Mikie” Sherrill is the 57th Governor of New Jersey. Sworn in on January 20, 2026, she is the first Democratic woman to hold the office and only the second woman in the state’s history to serve as governor.
Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera: A service-driven future leader for FL District 6. Protecting Social Security, housing, and families. #UnitedUnafraid
When family values create a politician:
Beginning in the concrete jungle of New York City gave a future politician the values to lead the Sixth District of the Sunshine State of Florida. Because of his upbringing, Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera pledges to bring his leadership back to his roots. He was born and raised in New York City, in a working-class family with limited resources. One of his core values is that family comes first. His family taught him to work hard and stay honest. Values we can all agree a politician should have, and that working-class families in New York and Florida share.
“You worked hard, stayed honest, and treated people with respect. Service was not something we talked about; it was something we lived every day. That upbringing shaped who I am and how I serve today.”
Ronnie is guided by his mother, who has shaped him to know to do what is right, even when it is hard. His mother taught him strength, honesty, and compassion; these values became the foundation for the promises Ronnie makes to serve the people of the 6th district. When Ronnie faces difficult decisions, integrity, fairness, and courage guide him. His mother’s lessons guide him every day.
Ronnie and his mom. Kim, 2006.
When a career in service showed a failed system:
Working in EMS and later in law enforcement exposed him to life at its hardest moments, when people were most vulnerable. He witnessed families losing loved ones, seniors alone with no support, and working people struggling just to survive. Those experiences stayed with him every day. They taught Ronnie that public service is not a theory; it is personal. It is about standing with people when they feel invisible and ensuring systems protect them rather than fail them.
Randy Fine has done the opposite with proposed laws like no welfare for non-citizens, despite the fact that people without a social security number already do not qualify, and attempting to enact the “No Sharia” law, stoking Islamophobia
Ronnie’s life experiences have shaped not only his mission but also his future as a politician to the people of Florida. Ronnie’s first job was serving the people. Teaching him in his early career more about life than anything else. He exemplifies the understanding of struggle, fear, hope, and strength in a single shift as a first responder. A powerful testimant he learned that work is about purpose, showing up when people need you most, and making a difference in real lives. Lives that contribute billions of dollars to communities and a constituent base of everyday working-class families.
Ronnie’s first job at Bed Stuy Volunteer EMS
The American dream has faded for many people, but the teachings of working-class struggle shaped Ronnie. Earlier in life, he believed hard work guaranteed stability. Real life showed Ronnie that it was not always true. Seeing hardworking families still struggling with healthcare, housing, and rising costs, listening to people, and seeing those gaps changed his perspective. He chose to grow. Growth is something everyone should commit to daily, especially our politicians. Leadership means learning, listening, and being willing to change when truth demands it. Ronnie pledges those core beliefs he feels are a politician’s duty.
The Commitments of a Future Representative
Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera is making an impact, letting Randy Fine know that nothing is fine. Ronnie is a left-leaning progressive Democrat with the self-identified label of “Radical Leftist Scum”. The slur was launched by Donald Trump in December of 2025. The RLS movement has now spread worldwide and has become a major trending topic on social media for months. RLS is not, in fact, radical; it affirms that all people are granted their constitutional rights and the freedom to pursue personal progress. Residents in the sixth district want to reclaim their home taken over by right-wing ideology. A change in perspective, currently shaping Florida is what constituents want.
Florida’s 6th Congressional District exemplifies Florida’s dual character: it combines the lively vibrancy of the “World’s Most Famous Beach” with peaceful inland agricultural areas. Located on the northeastern coast, it extends inland toward Central Florida’s core.
Voters in the 6th district are demanding change. Rising housing costs threaten the sustainability of lifelong residents. Two-thirds of voters are retired or nearing retirement and fear for their Social Security benefits. Ronnie pledges to represent them.
In 2026, the debate over Social Security has shifted from a theoretical “looming crisis” to a pressing legislative priority, as the trust fund exhaustion date—now projected as early as 2032—falls within the terms of Senators elected this year.
Ronnie on the issue –
“These programs are earned benefits from a lifetime of work. I will protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts and privatization. I will fight to lower prescription drug costs, strengthen healthcare access, and protect the dignity and security of our seniors. Retirement should bring peace of mind, not fear.”
Families are feeling the weight of rising costs every day. Housing, healthcare, and groceries are stretching budgets. Ronnie is fighting to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, support fair wages, expand affordable housing, and ensure working families are not left behind. American Stability should not feel out of reach for the working class. A future of possibility strengthens communities across America; it shapes the values of millions striving to be citizens of the United States.
Ronnie on the current administration’s immigration policy:
“A nation of laws must also be a nation of justice. We need real immigration reform, humane policies, and accountability. Families belong together, human rights come first, and yes we must abolish ICE and replace it with a system that is lawful, transparent, and rooted in dignity.”
A strong opponent is needed to unseat Randy Fine, the successor to Michael Waltz, leaving his position to serve the Trump administration. An admin who poses challenges to politicians not part of the status quo. Communities across America shape the values of millions. Ronnie pledges and shows that he is the opponent to defeat Randy Fine.
When asked how he plans to win, a clear response and a value-based plan is seen,
“My campaign is about people, not division. Progressive values mean opportunity, fairness, healthcare, education, and dignity for everyone. Many extreme policies come from fear and distraction instead of real solutions. My focus is lowering costs, protecting healthcare, strengthening Social Security, and making government work for everyday people.”
Millions were promised fair housing, lower costs, and affordable solutions to their challenges. The Trump administration has failed, and so has Randy Fine. The call is clear: a candidate with the grit to fight and challenge toxic MAGA ideologies must win this election in Florida’s 6th District. The people need it, and Ronnie wants them to know he is ready. The fight will continue every day, and justice will be served through equitable public service for the people, not the elite.
Ronnie founded a nonprofit in New York City helping homeless families, children, veterans, and anyone in need get food, shelter, and support. Committed to working with local food banks and outreach programs, he served in a way that reflected his drive to help the neighbors he saw struggling. Ronnie volunteered as a music teacher in a New York City public school and later coached youth football for the Mount Dora Hurricanes, mentoring young people on discipline, teamwork, and character.
“I was drawn to this work because when you see a need, you step forward. Strong communities are built when we lift each other up.”
To Ronnie, “United Unafraid” represents unity, strength, and courage. Communities are strongest when they stand together and refuse to be divided. Something Randy Fine has not committed to every day, but instead has chosen to spread division. The constituents want Unity. These values reflect honesty, resilience, and shared purpose. Together, everyone overcomes and moves forward. The mission is clear: unify the people and secure the prospects of communities for future generations, as one-fifth of voters are entering adulthood and now face navigating policies in a broken system not guaranteed to succeed. The prospects of communities for future generations.
I am running because public service means protecting people, defending dignity, and standing up when our community needs a voice. Too many families feel unheard and left behind. I have spent my life serving others and I have seen both the strength of our people and the struggles they face.
I am running for seniors who deserve security. For working families who should not have to choose between healthcare, housing, and food. For veterans who deserve care and respect. For children who deserve safe communities and real opportunity.
I am running for those who feel targeted or unheard, including the LGBTQ community who deserve dignity and equal protection. I believe deeply in the Constitution and the rule of law. As a former law enforcement officer, I also believe law enforcement must protect rights, not violate them. Many families are living in fear, and when fear replaces trust, communities suffer.
I am running because division is being pushed into our communities. Race, fear, and anger are being used to separate people instead of unite them. That weakens our country and distracts from real issues. America is strongest when we stand together.
I am running to protect our environment, protect housing stability, and protect children and families. Our future depends on it.
People are ready for leadership that listens, cares, and acts with compassion and courage. I am running to bring people together, restore trust, and fight for a future where every family has opportunity, security, and hope.
Public service is about people. And I will never stop fighting for them.
Florida, will you make the stand for a better future where housing is a secured right and you can afford not only to live but to prosper in safety and potential?
NJ faces a healthcare cliff: Gov. Sherrill extends emergency rules for APNs & PAs as 9.5M residents face a 45-day countdown to a care disaster.
We learned in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic that healthcare is essential. Millions of people were without work, and countless people died from the disease, which rapidly spread in retirement homes and incarcerated communities. Hospitals were erecting tents in their parking lots to care for patients, and local emergency response teams were burdened around the clock with emergency medical transportation. A lot changed during the pandemic for people seeking care, and telehealth saw a surge never before seen. With that influx of care needed someone had to do it. Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants played a key role in enabling millions of appointments. Even then, the system is still inundated, and we need more care.
Groups echo healthcare reform as being essential, but where does the healthcare come from if there is not enough care to go around? Per-person spending jumped to $11,319 by 2023, driven by higher prices and increased utilization. Numbers are slowly coming out showing an even more substantial rise in the cost of care. Between 2020 and 2025, New Jersey prioritized expanding its physician workforce, with over 1,500 medical residents finishing their training in 2024, and around 471 (30%) of them choosing to practice in-state. The number of active Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in New Jersey increased by roughly 35%, rising from 12,107 in 2020-2021 to 16,317 in 2023-2024, representing a significant influx of over 4,000 new or newly active APN licenses during that period. Individual state statistics for phycsisan assistants are not available for New Jersey during this period.
New Jersey’s population has rebounded, reversing post-2020 declines, reaching over 9.5 million by early 2025. From April 2020 to July 2025, the state grew by about 2.8%, largely driven by international immigration despite domestic out-migration, making it one of the fastest-growing states.
With the increasing population, healthcare needs have grown. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order No. 112 on April 1, 2020, temporarily waiving the requirement for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) to work under a supervising or collaborating doctor. Just before leaving office, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 415 on January 16, 2026, officially ending the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Now, as the crisis looms over care access, what happens? On February 13th, 2026, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 13, temporarily extending the COVID-19 State of Emergency. This will allow APNs and PAs to catch up with the new regulations about to take hold.
“With today’s executive order, we are providing more time for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to adjust to this new regulatory landscape, delivering on our commitment to make it easier for small businesses to thrive in New Jersey,” said Governor Sherrill. “Many health care professionals across New Jersey are bracing for impact as years-long state of emergency provisions come to an abrupt end. These sudden regulatory changes will have wide-ranging impacts on health care professionals and patients alike – potentially even forcing clinics and small, independent practices to close their doors, making it more difficult for New Jerseyans to access critical health care services.”
There are over 16,000 APNs in NJ, with 84% in primary care and 7% in mental health, making them essential for covering the 1.86 million residents on Medicaid. Not only do those on Medicaid see an APN, but many others with employer-sponsored or private-sector health insurance also use APN care for affordability and convenience.
With so many at risk of a catastrophic healthcare disaster in 45 days, will the government take action to codify care?
Grappling with the president’s involvement in the Epstein case
The Department of Justice released over 3.5 million additional files from the Epstein Files mandated by law. This comes 45 days after they were required to release the documents in a press conference held by Deputy AG Blanche. He states that all photos of women have been redacted, but the DOJ made redaction errors, took files down in real time, and links began expiring. The government partnered with Akamai to deliver the files using a content delivery network. As the files were indexed, President Trump was mentioned over 38,000 times.
Controversy arose when initial files showed witnesses attesting to “Calendar Girls,” an auction at Maralago, where Trump auctioned off girls measuring their vulva by placing a finger to see tightness. The tip implicates multiple Trump family members, including Elon Musk. In June of 2025, Elon posted on X (Formerly Twitter) stating that the files had not been released because they contained Donald Trump’s material.
Elon asked to visit Epstein at his New Mexico ranch along at his island.
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As more digging is happening, the Truth will be uncovered. The victims over the years have participated in interviews, with many committing suicide, under the pressures of surviving horrendous suffering at the hands of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump recently has distanced himself from Epstein and has called the files a Democratic hoax. Evidence suggests close ties between Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, with Trump even calling Epstein a terrific guy.
“I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,” Mr. Trump told New York magazine in 2002. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
Portrait Jeffrey Epstein (left) and real estate developer Donald Trump as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida on February 22, 1997. Davidoff Studios/Getty Images
George Houraney and his girlfriend attended a dinner with Trump in 1992, during Trump’s first presidential bid in 2016. Houraney participated in an interview and made an assertion that he had to ban Jeffrey Epstein from his events and could not sign on to deals because of Epstein’s conduct. Houraney also goes on to explain the business deals that failed due to Trump’s inappropriate conduct with girlfriend, Jill Harth.
Donald Trump with Jill Harth in 1992.Credit…George Houraney
Jan. 24, 1993, Harth and Houraney visited to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for a contract-signing celebration, At the request of Trump “Calendar girls” were brought along. He offered Harth a tour of the estate and then pulled her into the empty bedroom of his daughter Ivanka. In the FBI tips released in the latest files calendar girls can be attested by multiple sources. Trump has denied this claim.
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NY Times reporter Nicholas Kristof asked Harth in 2016, “Why would a woman who accused Trump of attempted rape ever go out with him?”
Harth replied
“I was scared, thinking, ‘what am I going to do now?’” she says. “When he called me and tried to work on me again, I was thinking maybe I should give this a try, maybe if he’s still working on me, I should give this rich guy a chance.”
Documents released as part of this new trove of files showed prominent international figures such as Prince Andrew and Jack Lang working with Epstein. Lang began a non-profit, with Epstein spearheading the founding and an initial donation of $75,000. Sylvie Aubry, A long-time friend of Jack Lang and a co-founder of the non-profit, also runs a floral business in France. Jack Lang was previously the minister of Culture, who also states that the non-profit was created to fund a movie. The movie funding was never disclosed. Other Associates of the non-profit, such as the president, treasurer, and secretary, were described as long-term staffers or friends of Lang.
Bill Gates can be seen in multiple photos with Epstein and world leaders, with some of the pictures of Gates with redacted women discovered during an FBI raid of Epstein’s Island. Recently, in the files, documents state that Gates contracted an STI from Russian girls, but Gates has denied the claims.
Gates on emails released from files:
“These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false,” a spokesperson for Gates said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Further, Gates’s statement states that the files show only Epstein’s frustration at not obtaining a long-term business partnership with Gates.
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As more information comes out from the files, be sure to check back at this article for updates.
